Mounting bracket and methods for mounting a push arm to a wing plow

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket and method for mounting a push arm to a wing plow. The mounting bracket can include a clevis portion, a backstop, and a mounting flange. The mounting flange can have a first mounting flange hole, a second mounting flange hole, and a third mounting flange hole. The mounting bracket can be configured to be mountable to the wing plow in a first orientation using the first and second mounting flange holes and can be mountable to the plow in a second orientation, using the second and third mounting hole. The second orientation can be rotationally offset from the first orientation about at least one rotational axis.

BACKGROUND

In many applications, wing plows can be supported at extended positionsand orientations relative to a plow truck frame. Push arms are generallycoupled to the wing plow and the plow truck frame to support the wingplow against the force exerted along the wing plow during plowingoperations.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the invention provide a mounting bracket formounting a push arm to a wing plow. The mounting bracket can include aclevis portion with parallel prongs and a cross-member extending betweenthe prongs. The mounting bracket can further include a backstop with afirst backstop section at least partially defined by the cross-memberand a second backstop section extending from the first backstop sectionat an acute angle relative to the prongs. A mounting flange can extendin a mounting flange plane, perpendicular from and along the backstop.The mounting flange can have a first mounting flange hole, a secondmounting flange hole, and a third mounting flange hole. The mountingbracket can be configured to be mountable to the wing plow in a firstorientation using the first and second mounting flange holes and can bemountable to the plow in a second orientation, using the second andthird mounting hole. The second orientation can be rotationally offsetfrom the first orientation about at least one rotational axis.

Some embodiments can provide a mounting bracket for alternativelymounting a push arm to a wing plow in a first orientation or a secondorientation angularly offset relative from the first orientation. Themounting bracket can include a backstop with a first section and asecond section extending at a 30 degree angle from the from the firstsection. A set of prongs can extend from the backstop in a firstdirection. A mounting flange can extend from the backstop in a seconddirection opposite the first direction. The mounting flange can have aplurality of mounting flange holes, a first set of which can beconfigured to mount the mounting bracket to the wing plow in the firstorientation and a second set of which can be configured to mount themounting bracket to the wing plow in the second orientation.

Some embodiments can provide a method for switching a mounting bracketfor mounting a push arm to a wing plow between a first orientation and asecond orientation. The mounting bracket can have a mounting flange witha first mounting flange hole, a second mounting flange hole, and a thirdmounting flange hole. With the mounting bracket attached to the wingplow in the first orientation with a first fastener installed in thefirst mounting flange hole and a second fastener installed in the secondmounting flange hole, the method can include removing the first fastenerfrom the first mounting flange hole and loosening the second fastenerwithin the second mounting flange hole; rotating the mounting bracketrelative to the wing plow about the second fastener; and installing thefirst fastener within the third mounting flange hole to secure themounting bracket to the wing plow in the second orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofembodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a rear top left perspective view of a plow truck with a wingplow with a mounting bracket according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front top right perspective view of the mounting bracket ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear top right perspective view of a wing plow with themounting bracket of FIG. 1 attached thereto in a first orientationaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a close-up front top right perspective view of the mountingbracket attached to the wing plow shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a close-up top plan view of the attachment of the mountingbracket to the wing plow shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a rear top right perspective view of a wing plow with themounting bracket of FIG. 1 attached thereto in a second orientationaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a close-up front top right isometric view of the attachment ofthe mounting bracket to the wing plow shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a close-up top plan view of the attachment of the mountingbracket to the wing plow shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

Also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, directionalterms are presented only with regard to the particular embodiment andperspective described. For example, reference to features or directionsas “horizontal,” “vertical,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “upper,”“lower,” and so on are generally made with reference to a particularfigure or example and are not necessarily indicative of an absoluteorientation or direction. However, relative directional terms for aparticular embodiment may generally apply to alternative orientations ofthat embodiment. For example, “front” and “rear” directions or features(or “right” and “left” directions or features, and so on) may begenerally understood to indicate relatively opposite directions orfeatures for a particular embodiment, regardless of the absoluteorientation of the embodiment (or relative orientation relative toenvironmental structures). “Lateral” and derivatives thereof generallyindicate directions that are generally perpendicular to a verticaldirection for a relevant reference frame.

Also as used herein, ordinal numbers are used for convenience ofpresentation only and are generally presented in an order thatcorresponds to the order in which particular features are introduced inthe relevant discussion. Accordingly, for example, a “first” feature maynot necessarily have any required structural or sequential relationshipto a “second” feature, and so on. Further, similar features may bereferred to in different portions of the discussion by different ordinalnumbers. For example, a particular feature may be referred to in somediscussion as a “first” feature, while a similar or substantiallyidentical feature may be referred to in other discussion as a “third”feature, and so on.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modificationsto the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of theinvention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to belimited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Thefollowing detailed description is to be read with reference to thefigures, in which like elements in different figures have like referencenumerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize theexamples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall withinthe scope of embodiments of the invention.

In some contexts, it may be useful to be able to mount a push arm atdifferent angles relative to a wing plow because not all plow truckshave a mount for the push arm located in the same relative area on theplow truck frame, and the angle from which the push arm extends from theplow truck frame can vary. Further, it may be useful to be able toswitch the angle of the push arm relative to the wing plow toaccommodate different plow trucks without having to remove and replacethe mounting bracket that couples the push arm to the wing plow.Embodiments of the invention can be useful for this purpose, and others.For example, embodiments of the invention can be used to couple a pusharm to a wing plow in at least two orientations. Some embodiments of theinvention can include a mounting bracket that is mountable to a wingplow and selectively switchable between alternative mountingorientations, including without needing to fully remove the mountingbracket from the wing plow. As another example, a mounting bracketaccording to other embodiments can be secured to a wing plow a pluralityof fasteners, wherein one of the fasteners is used to secure themounting bracket in both orientations.

In some embodiments, a mounting bracket can include a mounting flangethat are configured to permit mounting a push arm to a wing plow in twoorientations. The mounting flange can have a plurality of mountingflange holes that are alignable with mounting holes on the wing plow andthrough which a fastener is receivable. At least two of the mountingflange holes can be aligned along a first line and at least two of themounting flange holes can be aligned along a second line, which isdisposed at an angle from the first line. In some embodiments, one ofthe mounting flange holes can be used for both mounting orientations. Insome embodiments, the fastener received within the shared mountingflange hole can be used as a pivot point to switch the mounting bracketbetween orientations.

In some embodiments, a mounting bracket can have a backstop that abutsthe wing plow to allow the force exerted upon the plow during operationto be transferred to the push arm. In some embodiments, the backstop canbe configured to abut the wing plow when the mounting bracket is mountedto the wing plow in more than orientation. In some embodiments, thebackstop can extend in parallel to the mounting flange holes. In someembodiments, the backstop can have a first backstop section that extendsparallel to the first line of mounting flange holes and a secondbackstop section that extends parallel to the second line of mountingflange holes.

In some contexts, it may be useful to provide a mounting bracket thatallows attachment of a push arm to a wing plow in in differentorientations and also capable of mounting push arms to wing plowsmounted on either side of the truck. In some embodiments, the mountingbracket is symmetrical along at least one axis to enable the mountingbracket to be mountable to a wing plow on a passenger side of the truckand flipped over and be mountable to a wing plow on a driver side of thetruck.

In some conventional arrangements, mounting brackets for mounting a pusharm to a wing plow are configured to allow the attachment of the wingplow in only one orientation. Thus, two different mounting brackets areneeded if mounting a push arm in two orientations is desired. To switchpush arm orientations, a user is required to completely remove a firstmounting bracket for a first mounting orientation and install a secondmounting bracket for a second mounting orientation. The required removaland installation of separate, specialized mounting brackets is timeconsuming and requires storage of the unused mounting bracket.

Some embodiments of the invention can address this issue, or others. Forexample, some embodiments of the invention are presented below in thecontext of a convertible mounting bracket for mounting a push arm to awing plow, wherein the mounting brackets have mounting features that canaccommodate mounting to a push arm to a wing plow in at least twoorientations. Generally, the principles disclosed herein can be usedwith any variety of side-mounted plow, including, but not limited to,wing plows, and can be used to secure any variety of structural orattachment components to the side-mounted plow.

With regard to construction, various embodiments can be readily formedfrom a variety of known manufacturing techniques, including casting. Forexample, some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in theFIGS., can be cast as one piece. In other embodiments, multiple piecescan be cast and joined together through methods such as welding.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mounting bracket 100 configuredfor coupling a push arm 10 to a wing plow 12 attached to a truck 14.Shown here, the push arm 10 extends perpendicular to the length of thetruck 14, although other orientations are possible. As described furtherbelow, the mounting bracket 100 is configured to be mounted in either afirst orientation (shown in FIGS. 4 through 6) or a second orientation(shown in FIGS. 7 through 9) depending on the arrangement of the pusharm 10 as it is mounted to and extends from the truck 14. Further,although the discussion herein is tailored to an application in whichthe mounting bracket 100 is configured to be coupled to a wing plow 12for conciseness and clarity, it should be noted that the mountingbracket 100 is also configured to be coupled to other types of plows(e.g., a patrol wing) and plows with horizontal mounting flanges likethe plow flange 20 provided on the wing plow 12 described below.Additionally, in some applications, more than one mounting bracket 100can be used to couple more than one push arm to a plow.

As shown in FIG. 1, because the push arm 10 extends perpendicularly fromthe truck 14, the coupling of the push arm 10 to the wing plow 12 occursat an angle less than 90 degrees (e.g., 60 degrees). To achieve such amounting angle, the mounting bracket 100 is mounted to the wing plow 12in the second orientation. Alternatively, if a push arm extends outwardand angled toward the front of the truck 14 at an angle less than 90degrees (e.g., 30 degrees), the mounting bracket 100 is mounted in thefirst orientation for coupling the push arm 10 perpendicular to thelength of the wing plow 12. Although these particular angles may beuseful for a variety of wing plow and plow vehicle designs, otherembodiments according to the principles disclosed herein may beconfigured to provide other alternative mounting angles.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, in particular, the mounting bracket 100contains various features for the attachment to the push arm 10 (shownin FIG. 1) and to the wing plow 12 (shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7). Forexample, the mounting bracket 100 has a clevis portion 102, a mountingflange 104, and a backstop 106 between and separating the clevis portion102 and the mounting flange 104. As shown, the clevis portion 102, themounting flange 104, and the backstop 106 are integrally joined to formthe mounting bracket 100, however, it is contemplated that the mountingbracket 100 can be formed by joining (e.g., by welding) these features,if they are provided in more than one piece.

Continuing to look at FIGS. 2 and 3, the clevis portion 102 includes aset of prongs 108 extending in parallel perpendicularly from across-member 110. In the example embodiment shown, the clevis portion102 has two prongs, designated with an “A” or “B” following the partnumber 108. Although other configurations are possible, the prongs 108are generally similar to each other. Accordingly, unless a particularprong is specifically being described, the set of prongs will bediscussed below using only the part number 108. The same system appliesto other features of the prongs 108 as well. Although the configurationof the prongs 108 may be particularly suitable for a strong, robust, andeasily manageable connection to a push arm, a variety of otherattachment systems can be used in other embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the prongs 108 has a prong hole112 at a distal end 114 thereof. The prong holes 112 are aligned along aprong hole axis 116 that extends through a center of each of the prongs108. The prong holes 112 are configured to receive a pin there-throughto couple the push arm 10 to the mounting bracket 100. In someembodiments, the pin can be a bolt 16 (shown in FIGS. 4 through 9).

The backstop 106 is also visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. The backstop 106 hasa first backstop section 118 and a second backstop section 120. Thefirst backstop section 118 is at least partially defined by thecross-member 110 of the clevis portion 102, and extends parallel to theprong hole axis 116. The second backstop section 120 extends from thefirst backstop section 118 at an angle of approximately 60 degrees(shown in FIG. 3) relative to the prong 108A and therefore extends fromthe first backstop section 118 at an angle of approximately 150 degrees.Although these angles may be particularly conducive to effectiveattachment in some installations, other angular relationships are alsopossible.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9, the backstop 106 is configured tocontact the wing plow 12 when the mounting bracket 100 is installedthereon. For instance, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first backstop section 118is shown in contact with a front edge 18 of a plow flange 20 when themounting bracket 100 is mounted in the first orientation. Further, inFIGS. 8 and 9, the second backstop section 120 is shown in contact withthe front edge 18 of the plow flange 20 when the mounting bracket 100 ismounted in the second orientation. The backstop 118 is configured totransfer force exerted on the face of the wing plow 12 during operationto the push arm 10, which has a compression spring section 22 (seeFIG. 1) configured to help absorb the force.

Further details of the mounting flange 104 are also shown in FIGS. 2 and3. The mounting flange 104 extends perpendicularly outward from andalong the backstop 106 and along a mounting flange plane 122. In someembodiments, the prong hole axis 116 lies within the mounting flangeplane, as may help to improve manufacturability and overall strength ofthe mounting bracket 100 during use.

Generally, a mounting flange can include an array of holes, some ofwhich can be configured to secure a mounting bracket in a firstorientation and some of which can be configured to secure the mountingbracket in a second orientation (e.g., that is rotationally offset fromthe first orientation about at least one rotational axis). In theembodiment illustrated, the mounting flange 104 has a first mountingflange hole 124, a second mounting flange hole 126, and a third mountingflange hole 128. The mounting flange holes 124, 126, 128 are configuredto receive fasteners (e.g., mounting bolts 34 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8,and 9) to secure the mounting bracket 100 to the plow flange 20.

Continuing, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mountingflange holes 124, 126 are spaced along a first line 130, which isparallel to the first backstop section 118. The first and secondmounting flange holes 124, 126 are also laterally spaced from the firstbackstop section 118 a first distance 134. The second and third mountingflange holes 126, 128 are spaced along a second line 132 parallel to thesecond backstop section 120. Therefore, the second line 132 is disposedat the same angle from the first line 130 as the second backstop section120 is relative to the first backstop section 118, approximately 135degrees. The second and third mounting flange holes 126, 128 arelaterally spaced from the second backstop section 120 a second distance136. In the illustrated example, the first distance 134 is equal to thesecond distance 136. As further described below, this can help to ensureeffective transmission of force to the push arm 10 for each of twomounting configurations of the mounting bracket 100.

Consistent with the discussion above, in some cases a first set ofmounting flange holes can be disposed on a first section of a mountingflange, and a second set of mounting flange holes can be disposed on asecond section of the mounting flange. For example, for the mountingbracket 100, the first mounting flange hole 124 extends through a firstsection 104A of the mounting flange 104, which extends along the firstbackstop section 118, and the third mounting flange hole 128 extendsthrough a second section 104B of the mounting flange 104, which extendsalong the second backstop section 120. Further, the second mountingflange hole 126 extends through the mounting flange at an intersectionof the first and second sections 104A, 104B (i.e., along a referenceline that bisects an angle between the first and second backstopsections 118, 120 or along a reference line that extends from the prong108A through an intersection of the first and second backstop sections118, 120). As also discussed below, this configuration can provide foreffective overall support as well as easy adjustability betweendifferent mounting orientations.

As additionally shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting bracket 100 has agusset 138 extending between the second backstop section 120 and theprong 108A. The gusset 138 increases the structural strength andrigidity of the mounting bracket 100, and can also provide otherbenefits. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the gusset 138 hasan exposed side 140 that extends in parallel with and is spaced a thirddistance 142 from the prong hole axis 116. The third distance 142 is apredetermined distance approximately equal to or slightly greater than abolt-head radius 24 of the bolt 34 (e.g., of a known standard sizeconfigured for use in the prong holes 112), which is defined herein asthe distance from a bolt axis 26 to a side face 28 of a head 30 of thebolt 34. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the third distance 142 isequal to the bolt head radius 24. The gusset 138, therefore, can contactthe face 28 of the bolt 34 and prevent the bolt 34 from rotating withinthe prong holes 112. This can be helpful when tightening or loosening anut 32 to the bolt 34 during the coupling or decoupling of the push arm10 to the mounting bracket 100 because it prevents the bolt 34 fromspinning.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-6, the mounting bracket 100 is shown mounted tothe wing plow 12 in the first orientation. As shown, the mounting flange104 is positioned below the plow flange 20. It is contemplated, however,that the mounting flange 104 can be positioned on top of the plow flange20. The plow flange 20 has a plurality of plow mounting holes 36 spacedfrom an edge 18 of the plow flange 20 by a plow mounting hole distance38 (see FIG. 6). Further, mounting bolts 34 are placed through the firstand second mounting flange holes 124, 126 and two of the plurality ofplow mounting holes 36 to secure the mounting bracket 100 to the wingplow 12.

Of note for the illustrated embodiment, the plow mounting hole distance38 is substantially equal to (e.g., within 10% of) the first distance134 (see FIG. 3) between the first and second mounting holes 124, 126and the first backstop section 118. The substantial equality between thedistances 38, 134 can result in the first backstop section 118 beingpositioned in contact with the edge 18 of the plow flange 20, as canhelp to robustly transfer force from the plow flange 20 to the push arm10 via the mounting bracket 100.

Looking at FIGS. 7-9, the mounting bracket 100 is shown mounted to thewing plow 12 in the second orientation. The mounting flange 104 is againshown positioned below the plow flange 20, but it is contemplated thatthe mounting flange 104 can be positioned on top of the plow flange 20.Similarly to the configuration of FIGS. 4-6, but with the mountingbracket 100 in a differently rotated configuration, mounting bolts 34are placed through the second and third mounting flange holes 126, 128and two of the plurality of plow mounting holes 36 to secure themounting bracket 100 to the wing plow 12. As similarly discussed above,because the second distance 136 (see FIG. 3) between the second andthird mounting flange holes 126, 128 and the second backstop section 120is equal to the first distance 134, the second distance 136 is alsosubstantially equal to the plow mounting hole distance 38 (see FIG. 9).The substantial equality between the distances 38, 136 can accordinglyposition the second backstop section 120 in contact with the front edge18 of the plow flange 20 for robust transfer of force to the push arm10.

In some embodiments, it may be possible to move a mounting bracketbetween two orientations without necessarily removing the mountingbracket from a wing plow. For example, some embodiments can beconfigured to use a common mounting hole in a mounting flange for eachof multiple differently rotated configurations. In this regard, in theillustrated embodiment, the second mounting flange hole 126 is used tomount the mounting bracket 100 to the wing plow 12 in both the firstorientation and the second orientation. Correspondingly, switchingbetween the first orientation and the second orientation requires thefull removal of one of the mounting bolts 34 and only loosening of thesecond. For example, the mounting bracket 100 can be rotated about themounting bolt in the common mounting hole, with the mounting bolt definea rotational axis, to rotationally move the mounting bracket 100 fromthe first orientation into the second orientation.

In some embodiments, a mounting bracket can be mounted to a wing plowthat is attached to either side of a truck (i.e., to the passenger sideof the truck 14 as shown in FIG. 1 and to the driver side). For example,the mounting bracket 100 is symmetrical along the mounting flange plane122 (shown in FIG. 2) and can accordingly be rotated about an axisperpendicular to the prong hole axis 116 and parallel to the mountingflange plane 122 (e.g., the Z-axis as shown in FIG. 2) by 180 degrees tobe mountable to a wing plow mounted to the driver side of the truck 14.When mounted to a wing plow on the driver side, the mounting bracket 100maintains the ability to be mounted to the wing plow in twoorientations.

In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can beutilized or installed using methods embodying aspects of the invention.Correspondingly, description herein of particular features orcapabilities of a device or system is generally intended to inherentlyinclude disclosure of a method of using such features for intendedpurposes and of implementing such capabilities. Similarly, expressdiscussion of any method of using a particular device or system, unlessotherwise indicated or limited, is intended to inherently includedisclosure, as embodiments of the invention, of the utilized featuresand implemented capabilities of such device or system.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, some embodiments caninclude a method of switching the mounting bracket 100 between a firstorientation (FIG. 6) to a second orientation (FIG. 9). The methodincludes the removal of the mounting bolt 34 from the first mountingflange hole 124 and the loosening of the mounting bolt 34 within thesecond mounting flange hole 126. The mounting bracket 100 can then berotated relative to the wing plow 12 about the mounting bolt 34 in thesecond mounting flange hole 126. Once the third mounting flange hole 128is aligned with the associated plow mounting hole 36, the previouslyremoved mounting bolt 34 (or a different mounting bolt, for example, ifthe previously removed mounting bolt 34 is damaged) is installed withinthe third mounting flange hole 128 to secure the mounting bracket 100 tothe wing plow 12 in the second orientation. It should be understood thatthe method can be performed in reverse for switching the mountingbracket 100 from the second orientation to the first orientation.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention.Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein maybe applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting bracket for mounting a push arm to awing plow, the mounting bracket comprising: a clevis portion withparallel prongs and a cross-member extending between the prongs; abackstop having a first backstop section at least partially defined bythe cross-member and a second backstop section extending from the firstbackstop section at an acute angle relative to the prongs; and amounting flange extending in a mounting flange plane, perpendicular fromand along the backstop, the mounting flange having a first mountingflange hole, a second mounting flange hole, and a third mounting flangehole; the mounting bracket configured to be mountable to the wing plowin a first orientation using the first and second mounting flange holesand mountable to the plow in a second orientation, using the second andthird mounting holes, the second orientation is rotationally offset fromthe first orientation about at least one rotational axis.
 2. Themounting bracket of claim 1, wherein each prong has a prong hole alignedalong a prong axis.
 3. The mounting bracket of claim 2, wherein theprong hole axis lies within the mounting flange plane and is parallelwith the first backstop section.
 4. The mounting bracket of claim 1,wherein the first and second mounting flange holes are spaced along afirst line parallel to the first backstop section and the second andthird mounting flange holes are spaced along a second line parallel tothe second backstop section.
 5. The mounting bracket of claim 1, whereinthe first mounting flange hole is located in a first section of themounting flange, which extends along the first backstop section, thethird mounting flange hole is located in a second section of themounting flange, which extends along the second backstop section, andthe second mounting flange hole is located on the mounting flange at anintersection of the first and second sections.
 6. The mounting bracketof claim 1, further comprising a gusset extending between the secondbackstop section and the clevis portion.
 7. The mounting bracket ofclaim 6, wherein an exposed side of the gusset extends parallel to andis spaced from the prong hole axis a predetermined distance, the gussetbeing thereby configured to prevent rotation of a bolt received throughthe prong holes.
 8. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein themounting bracket is configured to be mounted to a plow flange on thewing plow, the plow flange having a front edge and plow mounting holes;wherein the first and second mounting flange holes are laterally spacedfrom the first backstop section a first distance, and the second andthird mounting flange holes are laterally spaced from the secondbackstop section a second distance, the first distance being equal tothe second distance; wherein the first and second distances are equal toa plow mounting hole distance between the front edge of the plow flangeand the plow mounting holes; and whereby, the first backstop section isconfigured to contact the front edge when the mounting bracket ismounted in the first configuration and the second backstop section isconfigured to contact the front edge when the mounting bracket ismounted in the second configuration.
 9. The mounting bracket of claim 1,wherein the clevis portion is integrally formed with the backstop andthe mounting flange.
 10. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein themounting bracket is symmetrical about the mounting flange plane.
 11. Amounting bracket for alternatively mounting a push arm to a wing plow ina first orientation or a second orientation angularly offset relativefrom the first orientation, the mounting bracket comprising: a backstophaving a first section and a second section extending at a 30 degreeangle from the from the first section; a set of prongs extending fromthe backstop in a first direction; a mounting flange extending from thebackstop in a second direction opposite the first direction, themounting flange having a plurality of mounting flange holes, a first setof which are configured to mount the mounting bracket to the wing plowin the first orientation and a second set of which are configured tomount the mounting bracket to the wing plow in the second orientation.12. The mounting bracket of claim 11, wherein the first set of mountingflange holes and the second set of mounting flange holes share at leastof one of the mounting flange holes.
 13. The mounting bracket of claim11, wherein the first section of the backstop is configured to contactthe wing plow when the mounting bracket is mounted in the firstorientation and the second section of the backstop is configured tocontact the wing plow when the mounting bracket is mounted in the secondorientation.
 14. The mounting bracket of claim 11, wherein each of theprongs has a prong hole configured to receive a pin therethrough tosecure the push arm to the mounting bracket.
 15. The mounting bracket ofclaim 14, wherein the prong holes are aligned along a prong hole axis,the prong hole axis being parallel with the first section of thebackstop.
 16. The mounting bracket of claim 11, further comprising agusset extending between the second backstop section and the adjacentprong of the set of prongs.
 17. The mounting bracket of claim 16,wherein the gusset is configured to prevent rotation of a bolt receivedthrough the prong holes.
 18. The mounting bracket of claim 11, whereinthe backstop is integrally formed with the set of prongs and themounting flange.
 19. The mounting bracket of claim 11, wherein themounting flange extends in a mounting flange plane and the mountingbracket is symmetrical about the mounting flange plane.
 20. A method forswitching a mounting bracket for mounting a push arm to a wing plowbetween a first orientation and a second orientation, the mountingbracket having a mounting flange with a first mounting flange hole, asecond mounting flange hole, and a third mounting flange hole, themethod comprising: with the mounting bracket attached to the wing plowin the first orientation with a first fastener installed in the firstmounting flange hole and a second fastener installed in the secondmounting flange hole, removing the first fastener from the firstmounting flange hole and loosening the second fastener within the secondmounting flange hole; rotating the mounting bracket relative to the wingplow about the second fastener; and installing the first fastener withinthe third mounting flange hole to secure the mounting bracket to thewing plow in the second orientation.